The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-08
SHERIDAN AND ROSSER.
The Lieutenant-Generai Tells why the Ex-
Confederate ID oes Not Like Him.

The Lieutenant-Generai Tells why the Elk
Confederate ID Not Like Him.
Washington Special to Chicago News.
General Sheridan much amused upon
reading the letter of General Rosser, recently
Do blished, in which the latter speaks of a pro-
posed trip TO the Shenandoah valley by General
sheridan and denounees him for the wild.
wanton waste and desolation which his barbar-
Gus torch spread through the valley" during the
war. After reading Rosser's philippe General
Sheridan Said TO your correspondent "Rosser
has not forgotten the whaling / gave him in the
valley. and l am not surprised that he loses
temper when he recalls it. Yes, sir, when was
moving down the valley I had an important OBJ
Jece In view and did not care to be annoyed.
Rosser was sent after me with q brigade, but
did not consider it worth while to give him much
attention. General Torbet's division of cavalry
formed the rear of my column. and waa conf
dent he could take care of Rosser. Occasionally
Rosser would come small detachments of
our troops and would swoop down upon them.
Finally It was reported to me that Rosser had
captured my pack train, and this made me mad.
Hating the entire army right the road
ealloped to the rear to find Torbet. determined
to settle Rosser. l found that the train had not
been captured, although it bad encountered
Rosser and was coming in considers bly, scattered
and broken UP. could not find Torbet, and this
added to my rage When found him he was
quietly enjoying himself at a farm house. I
called him out and informed him that / wanted
Rosser cleaned out. and that If he conld not do
this would take his division and do it myself. I
concluded would remain and sss the work per-
formed, and SO informed Torbet.
1.-The following morning early To-bet went
after Rosser. whose brigade was struck with an
impetuosity that caused them to scatter. We
stripped the enemy OF everything he had cap
tured-all his guns, except one, which subse
ouently fell into hands. and all his
baggage, including Rossers personal effects.
It was a regular frolic for our boys. Custer
got Rosser's uniform and occasionally wore it
for the amusement of his command Torbet
pursued Rosser 10 New Market a distance of
about twenty five miles He did not trouble me
further. This incident was doubiy humiiiating
to Rosser. because he was hailed as the savior
of tie valley His men wore mali laurel twigs
in their hats indication of their purpose to
clean US out. Some time after this, when
Rosser again appeared in that vicinity,
understand the people advised him to substitute
pumpkin vines for laurel, that plant being we'll
known for running qualities. For these reasons
l suppose General Rosser continues TO feel I'M
kind toward He says that / have not
atoned for my acts during the war. That is true.
Il never occurred to me that was called upon
to do so. want to add in this connection that
do not propose to make trip to the Shenandoah
valley the coming summer and had not
thought of doing. I visited the valley last
summer. in company with Senator Cameron, of
Pennsylvania, and was Hospitality received by
the people, of whom exhibited any of the
bitterness of feeling that was expressed in Gen.
Rosser's letter. l understand Rosser is now liv-
ing in the valley and, as he intends to become
candidate for Congress. his letter was doubtless
written for effect upon his coming political cam
mai